After Gandhi, it is Queen Elizabeth for Montblanc

After the limited edition pens with an engraving of Mahatma Gandhi courted controversy in India, Swiss luxury giant Montblanc has now launched a new series featuring Queen Elizabeth I.
This is part of Montblanc's Patron of Art Edition honouring a legendary benefactor of the arts and culture sinc

After the limited edition pens with an engraving of Mahatma Gandhi courted controversy in India, Swiss luxury giant Montblanc has now launched a new series featuring Queen Elizabeth I.

This is part of Montblanc's Patron of Art Edition honouring a legendary benefactor of the arts and culture since this special writing instrument line was conceived in 1992.

This year's edition is dedicated to an all time great cultural force - Elizabeth I.

Regarded as the most successful monarch to ever ascend an English throne, under Elizabeth's astute and skillful rule, England "came of age" and, witnessing groundbreaking achievements, was transformed from a "remote backwater" to a globally dominant imperial power, Montblanc said in a statement.

Elizabeth I was also a gifted writer and the 2010 Montblanc Patron of Art Edition is therefore composed of two writing instruments conceived with sumptuously striking and clever adornments celebrating her intellect and inimitable regal flair.

Upon ascending the throne on 15 January 1559, Elizabeth's writing focussed on government matters.

She wrote powerful speeches, such as that which she delivered at Tilbury in Essex where English troops had gathered to prepare for Spanish invasion in 1588.

The Elizabeth I Limited Edition 888 is a 750 solid gold fountain pen featuring a barrel and cap in precious lacquer.

Hand engraved on its 18-K gold nib is a bejewelled gold crown in which Elizabeth I ascended the throne in 1559.

Topping the cap is the Montblanc emblem rendered in shimmering mother-of-pearl.

The clip descends from a solid gold Tudor Rose while its embellishment, a princess cut green garnet reflects the bejewelled crown.

The intricate interlaced motif, derived from the needlework cover of The Mirror of the Sinful Soul, beautifies the solid gold cap and barrel.

The controversy on the use of Mahatma Gandhi's name and image by Montblanc for Rs 14 lakh pen erupted since the apostle of peace was known for simplicity throughout his life.

The luxury giant in May this year assured the Indian Supreme Court that it will not use the picture and name of Gandhi for commercial purposes.

The undertaking to this effect by Montblanc Boutique and Montblanc International GMBH was given to the apex court after Indian government said that it has rejected the plea of the MNC seeking permission to use the image of Gandhi for its high-end Mahatma Gandhi limited edition pens.

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